Is private school cheaper in Bend or Fargo?

Fargo has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $13,100/year in Bend. That's $6,600/year less, or $85,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Fargo over Bend?

Average tuition in Fargo is $6,600/year less than Bend. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $85,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,900/year in Bend, $4,600/year in Fargo.

How do Bend and Fargo private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bend averages $13,100/year ($750 above average). Fargo averages $6,500/year ($5,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Bend vs Fargo

Fargo averages $6,600/year less for private school (102% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $85,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Fargo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $13,100/year in Bend. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Bend

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Fargo

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bend	Fargo	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,100/yr	$6,500/yr	+$6,600
Religious Schools	$8,900/yr	$4,600/yr	+$4,300
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$12,800/yr	+$13,700
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$5,500/yr	+$5,600
Middle School (6-8)	$13,100/yr	$6,500/yr	+$6,600
High School (9-12)	$15,700/yr	$7,800/yr	+$7,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bend

$170,300

Fargo

$84,500

Choosing Fargo saves $85,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $171,600.

Sample Schools

Bend

Summit High School (Private Prep)

Independent · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Cascade Christian High School (Bend)

Christian · 9–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Fargo

Shanley High School (Fargo)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Prairie Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,800/yr

Full Bend breakdown → Full Fargo breakdown →

Oregon private school costs North Dakota private school costs

About This Comparison

This comparison uses NCES Private School Universe Survey data, adjusted for metro-level cost-of-living differences. "Average tuition" blends religious schools (Catholic, Christian) and independent day/prep schools. Religious schools typically cost 60-70% less than independent schools in the same city.

Grade-level estimates (elementary, middle, high) are derived from the city average using national grade-level multipliers. High school tuition typically runs 15-25% above the city average; elementary runs 10-20% below.